WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Marvellous Morocco claim maiden knockout berth
Tournament debutantes Morocco have defeated Colombia 1-0 and advanced to the knockout phase in a remarkable night of Group H fixtures that has seen pre-tournament favourites Germany knocked out.
The Atlas Lionesses began the brighter of the two sides, enjoying more possession and looking the side more likely to score. However, clear-cut chances were few and far between in the first half.
That was until Ibtissam Jraidi was bundled over in the penalty area moments before the break. Ghizlane Chebbak saw the subsequent penalty saved, but Anissa Lahmari was in the right place to poke home the rebound to give her nation a priceless lead and leapfrog Germany into second.
Colombia had several fantastic opportunities to equalise in the second half, but Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi was equal to everything thrown at her as the game ticked past the 100-minute mark.
The South Americans couldn’t find a leveller, meaning that Morocco – thanks in hand to Germany’s 1-1 draw with Korea Republic – advanced in second place behind Las Cafeteras.
Key stat
Against Korea Republic, Morocco became the first Arab team to win a match in tournament history. They have now become the first to make it past the group stage.
VISA Player of the Match
Anissa Lahmari (Morocco)
Japan survived a late scare against Nigeria to set up a re-match of the 2022 final with Spain in Sunday’s quarter-finals.
In rainy Bogota, Miyu Matsunaga’s free header just after the half hour was enough to send Japan to the break with a lead, as they have done at every match at Colombia 2024.
Maya Hijikata then doubled the advantage midway through the second term, tucking home a cross from substitute Chinari Sasai at the back post; that goal taking her joint-top of the adidas Golden Boot race with Brazil’s Vendito.
Olushola Shobowale did manage to pull one back for Nigeria in stoppage time but they couldn’t find a second as Japan hung on to close out the 2-1 win and set up that epic quarter-final clash with Spain. It is a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.
Africa’s biggest hope for podium appearance at the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals, Nigeria, have returned to the Colombia capital, Bogota, ahead of Friday morning’s Round of 16 clash with Japan.
Japan, one of the strongest forces in women’s football globally, topped Group E that also included Austria, New Zealand and one of Africa’s flag-bearers Ghana. Ghana crashed out of the tournament after losing to Japan and Austria, and a narrow win over New Zealand.
The Falconets reached the Round of 16 after pipping Korea Republic 1-0 and losing 1-3 to Germany, and then earning a fabulous 4-0 win over Venezuela in Cali.
“The girls have worked very hard to get to this stage, and we are proud of their efforts. We will be taking the knockout stages one match at a time. I must tell you that we are excited at the prospects of facing Japan and what that brings forth,” Coach Chris Musa Danjuma said on his team’s return to the capital on Wednesday night.
The clash between Nigeria and Japan will hold at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota – where the Falconets played their first two matches of the group phase against Korea Republic and Germany – starting from 2am Nigeria time (8pm, Thursday in Colombia) on Friday, 13th September.
Nigeria Super Falconets gave Nigerians additional joy after their 4-0 defeat of Venezuela in Cali, Colombia in their last group match. Their victory followed up with an earlier 3-0 win by the Super Eagles in their opening Group D match with Benin Republic in Uyo.
The Falconets’ win means they have qualified for the Round of 16 where they are most likely going to face Japan when the group games are completed on Sunday.
Both Nigeria and Germany tied on six points, but Germany have one goal better than Nigeria on goal difference.
The Super Falcons made early hays when Amina Bello put Nigeria ahead after 16 minutes. Chiamaka Okwuchukwu doubled the lead in the 28th minute before Flourish Sebastine put in the third five minutes into the added time of the first half. Joy Igbokwe put in the back breaker four minutes into the added time of the second hald.
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